"Some days I write the 'Thank you' speech, sometimes I write the '(Expletive) you' speech," he said. "In the end, it's all about time. It took a lot of people to get us here tonight."

They were inducted by Howard Stern, who provided many laughs at the event. He even sang some of Wanted Dead or Alive, getting the audience to join in.

Bon Jovi has sold more than 130 million albums.

The 33rd annual Rock Hall ceremony kicked off with a tribute to Tom Petty, who died in October at 66. The Killers earned a loud applause from the audience when they started performing American Girl, then transitioning to Free Fallin'.

"Pay some rock 'n' roll respect ... to the eternal Tom Petty," frontman Brandon Flowers said, as photos of Petty were displayed in the background.

The Cars and four first-time nominees, including Nina Simone, Dire Straits, The Moody Blues and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, also are being inducted as the 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class.

English brothers Mark and David Knopfler from Dire Straits, didn't attend the event, according to bassist John Illsley who said of Mark , "It just didn't appeal to him, and I appealed to him on several occasions".